Universities UK President sets out vision for how universities can thrive post-Brexit

The President of Universities UK (UUK) has said
that universities can continue to thrive post-Brexit, given the right support
from government.

In her keynote speech to university leaders at
Universities UK’s annual members’ conference, Dame Julia Goodfellow, President
of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, said that,
while the referendum outcome poses significant challenges for UK universities,
the sector is well-placed to identify and create opportunities as we plan for
life outside the EU.

In her address, Dame Julia Goodfellow said: “In
planning for life outside the EU we, like the government, have a vision of a
strong post-Brexit Britain with a thriving economy and a fairer society. The
vote to leave the EU poses significant challenges for universities that we need
to address, however, we believe that British universities can thrive post-exit
with the right support from government.

The UUK annual conference, taking place this
year at Nottingham Trent University, is the largest annual gathering of
university vice-chancellors, with over 100 university leaders and other key
figures from the university sector in attendance. Universities Minister Jo
Johnson MP also be addressed delegates during the same conference session on Wednesday morning.

In her speech, she also called for a new
approach to immigration and international students and staff, and a new
campaign to promote the UK’s world-class higher education sector across the
globe.

She said: “Reform
of the immigration system is long overdue, to recognise the value of
international students as temporary visitors and to remove unnecessary barriers
for highly-skilled international staff wanting to work at UK universities.

“We make no apologies for continuing to make
the strong case for a government-backed campaign to promote the UK’s
world-class higher education sector across the globe, accompanied by a visa
regime that makes clear that international students and staff are welcome and
make a highly valued contribution to the British economy and society.”

"We must redouble our efforts to promote the
values of diversity, tolerance and freedom of speech that make British
universities the envy of the world. We are best when we are outward looking,
globally networked and welcoming to the world.”

Dame Julia said
that UK universities remained widely respected around the world and we should
use the opportunity to rebuild trust in the UK as a place to invest, a place to
create jobs and a place to create international partnerships.

She said: “Universities support the UK's soft
power and global partnerships. Many leading international figures are alumni of
British universities and our universities are globally connected with
businesses, governments, research partners and other universities worldwide.”

Addressing the
issue of social mobility and participation in higher education, she said that
she supported wholeheartedly the government’s ambition in this area. She said: “Our new prime minister
and our new secretary of state for education lost no time in making social
mobility and improved life chances for all a key ambition for the remainder of
this parliament.

"I am proud that the work of Universities UK
will be contributing to this hugely important issue by
analysing current policies and practices, and
developing a set of recommendations that seek to ensure that the chance to
benefit from a university education, whether as a full-time student, an adult
learner or a degree apprentice, is not limited by where you come from, or what
your background is.

“The (UUK) Social Mobility Advisory Group will
report this autumn on how universities can improve access and long-term success
for underrepresented groups.”

On the Higher Education and Research that Bill,
being scrutinised by MPs, Dame Julia said that it was important to
protect the unique features of our universities including their outstanding
teaching and their world-leading research. She said that “where we will be
calling for things to be slower, more measured, and evidence-based, is with the
introduction of future iterations of the Teaching Excellence Framework to
ensure this adds real value for students and the sector.”

ENDS

Notes

1. Dame
Julia’s conference speech in full is to be found here. For more information on
the speech, or to request an interview with Dame Julia Goodfellow, please
contact the Universities UK press office on 0207
4195407 orpressoffice@universitiesuk.ac.uk

2. Professor
Dame Julia Goodfellow is President of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor of
the University of Kent. Her two-year term as President started on 1 August
2015.

3. Universities
UK is the representative organisation for the UK’s universities. Founded in
1918, its mission is to be the definitive voice for all universities in the UK,
providing high quality leadership and support to its members to promote a
successful and diverse higher education sector. With 135 members and offices in London, Cardiff (Universities Wales) and Edinburgh (Universities Scotland), it promotes the strength and
success of UK universities nationally and internationally. Visit:www.universitiesuk.ac.uk

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